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A GUIDE 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



A GUIDE 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA; 

COMPRISING 

^ Bescriptfon of tlje 

PLACES OF AMUSEMENT, EXHIBITIONS, 

PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC SaUARES, &c. 

IN THE city; 

AND OF THE PLACES OF PUBLIC RESORT AND OBJECTS OF 
INTEREST AND CURIOSITY IN THE ENVIRONS. 

DESIGNED AS 

A POCKET CICERONE FOR STRANGERS. 



P H I L -A D E L P H I A : 

THOMAS T. ASH AND CO 

1837. 




Entereb according to the act of congress, in the year 1837, by T. T. 
Ash &. Co., in the clerk's office of tlie district court of the eastern 
district of Pennsylvania. 



T. K. & P. G. COLLI>"S, PRlSTKllS, i LODGE ALLEY. 



PREFACE. 



The little volume which we now submit to the 
public, is designed to remedy a deficiency which 
has long been a subject of complaint. We mean 
that of a small pocket directory, containing an enu- 
meration of the principal objects of curiosity in and 
around the city, with just so much of description 
and information respecting them as a stranger might 
hope to receive from an intelligent citizen who 
should accompany him in visiting them. It would 
have been a very easy matter to accumulate statis- 
tical and historical details to an extent that would 
have wearied the reader's attention without adding 
greatly to his stores of information; but it has been 
our object to render what we have chosen to say 
concise and amusing rather than learned and mi- 
nute. 



We have inserted views of some of the more 
interesting public buildings, in order to enable the 
stranger to convey to his friends at home, some idea 
of the places he has seen, as well as the amusements 
of which he has partaken. 

The " Guide to the Lions of Philadelphia" will 
be published annually, with such additions as the 
changes in the objects, which it is designed to em- 
brace, may render necessary. 



CONTENTS. 



Theatres, . . . . . .10 

Chestnut Street Theatre, . . • .10 

Arch Street Theatre, . . . . .11 

Walnut Street Theatre, . . , • ^? 

Exhibitions, . . . . . .13 

Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, . . .13 

Artist's P'und J^ociety's Exhibition, . . .15 

Sully and Earle's Gallery of Paintings, . . 16 

Masonic Hall, . . . . .17 

The Diorama Exhibition, . . . .18 

The Philadelphia Museum, . . . .18 

The Old State House, . . . .20 

PoBLic Libraries and Institutions for the Promotion of Li- 
terature AND Science, . . . .21 
The City Library, . . . . . '21 
The Alheneum • • . . .23 
Hall of the American Philosophical Society, . . 23 
Academy of Natural Sciences, . . .25 
The Franklin Institute, . . . . 2(j 
The Musical Fund Society, . . . .28 
The University of Pennsylvania, . . .29 
Jefferson Medical College, . . . .30 
Public Schools, . . . . .30 
Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, . . .31 

Public Squares and Gardens, . . . .32 

Independence Square, . . . .33 

Washington Square, . . . . .34 

Franklin Square, . . . . .34 

Penn Square, . • . . .34 

M'Arans Garden, • . . . .35 

Landreth's Garden, . . . . .35 

Parker's Garden, . . . . .36 

Hibbert's Garden, . . . . .36 

Public Buildings, &c., within THE City, . . .36 

The United States Bank, . . . .37 

Bank of Philadelphia, . . . .38 

Girard Bank, . . . . .39 

Bank of Pennsylvania, . . . .39 

The United States Mint, . . . . 40 

Merchants' Exchange, . . . .41 

Pennsylvania Hospital, . . • .42 



CONTENTS. 



Markets, 

High Street Market, . 

South Second Street Market, . 

North Second Street Market, . 
Shot Towers, 
C'hdrches, 

Protestant Episcopalian, 
St. Stephen's Church, 
St. Andrew's Church, 
Christ's Church, 

Roman Catholic, 
St. John's Church, . 

Presbyterian, 
The First Presbyterian Church, 

Unitarian, 
Unitarian Church, . 

The Jews, . 
The Sunday School Union, 
Hotels and Boarding Houses, 

PJansion House Hotel, 

United States Hotel, . 

Marshall House, 

North American Hotel, 

City Hotel. . 

Merchants' Hotel, 

Congress Hall, 
Ronaldson's Cemetery, . 
Manufactory of Porcelain, 
Cooke's Equestrian Circus, 
Objects of Curiosity and Interest in the Environs of the 
City, 

Water Works, 

Lemon Hill Garden, . 

Floor Cloth Manufactory, 

The Eastern Penitentiary, 

House of Refuge, 

Railroad Bridge over the Schuylkill, 

Market Street Bridge, and Upper Bridge, 

Girard College, 

Laurel Hill Cemetery, 

New Alms House, 

Bartram's Garden, 

United States Marine Hospital, 

United States Arsenal, 

New County Prison, . 

The Navy Yard, 

Glass Manufactories, . 

Monument of Penu's Treaty, 



THE 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



When a stranger has arrived in a city, and comfort- 
ably established himself at his hotel, his first inquiry 
generally is, " Who is to show me the Lions *? How am 
I to learn, in the shortest and most summary way, what 
are the objects of interest to a visitor in this place, the 
curiosities, remarkable buildings, places of public resort 
and amusement, and the institutions, of which I may de- 
sire to carry home with me some information, and some 
agreeable reminiscences'?" It is our purpose, in this 
little volume, to furnish such information with respect 
to the city of Philadelphia, to the extent that our limits 
will allow ; and we accordingly hasten to take our read- 
ers through a cursory survey of the most remarkable 
and interesting objects which our city presents to the 
notice of visitors. 

It may be presumed, that on his arrival in this city, 

which generally takes place in the afternoon, the visitor 

may choose to defer till the following day, his regular 

exploration of the various localities, although he may 

2 



10 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



be tempted to pass his first evening in some place of 
amusement. "We shall, therefore, commence with a de- 
scription of the Theatres, of which there are three in the 
city proper, the Chestnut Street, the Walnut Street, and 
the Arch Street Theatres. 



CHESTI7UT STREET THEATRE. 




This building is situated on the north side of Chestnut 
Street, between Sixth and Seventh. The front is of mar- 
ble, presenting an arcade, sustaining a screen of com- 
posite columns, and an entablature, flanked by wings. 
These contain niches, in which are placed the statues of 
Tragedy and Comedy, by Rush. Below are recesses, 
containing basso relievos, representing the Tragic and 
Comic Muses. 

The building has five entrances in front, and spacious 
lobbies, capable of accommodating one thousand persons. 
There are three rows of boxes, of which the lower one 
is a double row. On the second floor is a spacious 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 11 

saloon and coffee rooms. The length of the building is 
one hundred and fifty feet, breadth ninety-two feet. The 
pit and boxes will accommodate two thousand persons, 
and the entrances are so large and numerous, that a 
crowded audience may retire from the house in three 
minutes. It was built in 1822, from a design of Mr. 
Strickland. 

The entertainments at this Theatre are generally in 
very good taste ; and the regulations are such as to in- 
sure quiet, order, and security. The present managers, 
Messrs. Maywood and Pratt, are indefatigable in their 
exertions to secure the best performers, native and fo- 
reign ; and have occasionally " diversified the scene" by 
introducing the French and Italian Operas. 



AUCH. STREET THEATRE. 

This Theatre is situated on the north side of Arch 
Street, between Sixth and Seventh streets. It was erected 
in 1828, and the performances commenced in the autumn 
of that year. It has a marble front, with a colonnade of 
marble pillars, supporting a Doric frieze. On the tym- 
panum is a colossal figure of Apollo, in alto relievo, by 
Gevelot. 

The interior resembles that of the Chestnut Street 
Theatre, excepting that the lobby is less spacious, and 
there is but one row of boxes below. The interior 
architecture and decorations are of rather a lighter 
character. 

This Theatre was for many years the scene of 
Forrest's performances in this city ; and was under the 
management of his brother. Since the decease of the 



12 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



last mentioned gentleman, it has passed into the hands 
of the managers of the Chestnut Street Theatre, and is 
only opened when that is shut. On his return from 
Europe, in 1836, Mr. Forrest performed at the Chestnut 
Street house, attracting crowded audiences. 



•WAIiNUT STREET THEiSLTRE. 




This Theatre was formerly used as a Circus. In 1828, 
the building was thoroughly repaired, and a new front, 
with marble pillars and other decorations, was erected 
under the direction of Mr. Haviland. Regular theatrical 
performances have been presented here since that period. 
The present manager, Mr. Wemyss, has been particu- 
larly successful in getting up splendid melo dramas, and 
other entertainments, in which beautiful scenery, dresses, 
and decorations, formed the chief attraction. Having 
secured the services of Mr. Russell Smith, one of the best 
scene painters in the country, his scenery has uniformly 
been of the most beautiful kind. 



LIONS OP PHILADELPHIA. 13 

Mr, Booth has generally resorted to this theatre when 
performing in Philadelphia, and has always attracted 
full houses. 

The Walnut Street Theatre is very spacious, and the 
interior arrangement is such as to accommodate a very 
large audience, and to insure the transmission of sounds 
from the stage, with distinctness, to the remotest parts of 
the house. This is particularly noticed whenever the 
entertainment is made to consist chiefly of music. 



EXHIBITIOIVS. 

Under this head may be classed a great variety of 
objects worthy of the attention of the visitor. We shall 
commence with the exhibition of pictures, statues, &c. 

TUNNSY'I/V'AJiriA ACADEMIZ' OF FIZTi: 
ARTS, 

We vshould have been happy to place among our em- 
bellishments a view of the pretty building belonging to 
this institution; but, as the directors have thought proper 
to place on the ground, in front, a couple of unsightly 
buildings, our artist could find no position for drawing 
the picture, which would afford a view that might be 
deemed worthy of his pencil. The building is situated 
in Chestnut Street above Tenth. 

The Academy was founded in the year 1805, by the 
exertions of an association of private individuals. It 



14 LIONS OP PHILADELPHIA. 

was chartered in 1806. It was designed as a school for 
young artists; and it has rendered much service to Ame- 
rican arts, by means of its rich collection of paintings 
and statues, which are alv/ays open to students, and are 
frequently used for the purpose of improvement. Instead 
of the annual exhibition for six weeks, the Academy is 
now open for visitors throughout the year. The present 
amount of attractive works of art in the Academy is un- 
usually large. 

In addition to the large collection of original paint- 
ings, comprising the permanent stock of the society, 
superior to any collection of the kind in the country, 
there are several large paintings, recently deposited 
in the halls, either of which would make the fortune of 
an itinerant exhibitor of works of art. 

Among these are West's picture of Death on a Pale 
Horse, which has been recently cleaned, and placed in a 
much better light than it has ever enjoyed before in this 
country, so that it appears a totally different affair from 
what it was when exhibited in New York, and in the 
Hall of Independence. 

Haydon's grand painting of Christ entering Jerusalem, 
is placed on another side of the same hall. This is, by 
many connoisseurs, considered the best work of the artist, 
and, in many respects, has no superior in our country. 

Opposite to Haydon's picture, is David's celebrated 
painting of Napoleon crossing the Alps, the subject of 
which is familiar to every one, from the numerous en- 
gravings of it which have been published. 

In another hall is Allston's "Dead Man raised by 
touching the Prophet's bones." This painting has been 
so long in possession of the Academy, that most of our 
citizens have become well acquainted with it. If it were 



LIONS OP PHILADELPHIA. 15 

to be exhibited by itself in some apartment near Chestnut 
and Fifth streets, all strangers of taste, who come to the 
city, would consider it as indispensable to see that, as the 
Mint or the Water "Works ; but as it is placed in the 
Academy, with a thousand other valuable works of art, 
a visit to it is apt to be postponed till it is forgotten, 

Mr. Powell's collection of original paintings, deposited 
in the Academy for safe keeping, during the proprietor's 
visit to Europe, is well worthy a visit, and an inspection 
of several hours, even if there were no other paintings 
in the Academy. 

The works of sculpture are also highly deserving of 
attention. One apartment is filled with casts from the 
most celebrated works of ancient and modern sculpture. 
The group of the Centaurs and Lapithae, still retains its 
place in the front hall ; and in a small apartment, among 
other rich and curious sculptures, is an original group, 
by the famous Benvenuto Cellini, which, of itself, is 
worth a ten miles walk to look at. 



ARTIST'S FU2TD SOCIETVS EXHIBITIOir. 

This is an annual exhibition of paintings by the Artist's 
Fund Society. It commences in April, and lasts about 
two months. An entirely new collection of paintings is 
offered every year ; and, as the exhibition is wholly un- 
der the direction of artists resident in the city, one is 
sure to find here a sufficient number of specimens to 
afford a tolerably correct idea of the state of the art of 
painting among us, for the time. 

The exhibitions, thus far, have been richest in the 



16 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

departments of landscape and portrait painting, with oc- 
casionally a few happy efforts in the department of his- 
torical painting. The visitor is sure to find here some 
of the best portraits of Sully, Neagle, and Otis, with a 
number of the beautiful landscapes of Doughty, Shaw, 
Russell Smith, and Birch, and a few of the unrivalled 
marine views of the last named artist. 

To some visitors it will be a matter of interest to know 
that this exhibition is a fashionable lounge for parties of 
ladies and gentlemen, who appear in the character of 
connoisseurs, or patrons of art, desirous of learning, by 
comparison of their respective works, who among the 
artists may be most worthy to receive encouragement. 

The exhibition is at present located in the hall oppo- 
site the Chestnut Street Theatre. 



SUIiIiTT ANiy EARIiE'S GAIiZiERir OF 

This fine collection of paintings is open to visitors in 
Chestnut Street, near Fifth. Besides the large number 
of paintings of foreign artists, it offers a great many of 
the happiest efforts of Mr. Sully himself, painted at dif- 
ferent periods of his brilliant career. As it is constantly 
receiving fresh additions from his easel, as well as from 
the studies of foreign artists, it is unnecessary to attempt 
an enumeration even of its chief attractions. 

We are not aware that there is any private collection 
of paintings in the country which will compare with this 
in extent and value. It is open to visitors at all seasons 
of the year. 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



17 



IVIASOirZC HAIiIi. 




We introduce the Masonic Hall in this connection, 
because it is a favourite place for those transient exhibi- 
tions of paintings and productions of the other orna- 
mental and useful arts which are constantly coming 
and going during the year. The building, which is a 
specimen of Gothic architecture, is situated in Chestnut 
Street, between Seventh and Eighth; and in passing it, 
the visitor can hardly fail, at any time, to see an an- 
nouncement of some attractive spectacle. Those which 
are presented here at regular periods are most worthy 
of attention. They consist chiefly of the exhibitions of 
manufactures by the Franklin Institute, and of the beau- 
tiful and rich specimens of flowers, fruits, and exotic 
plants which are collected here twice every season, by 
the Horticultural Society. The Hall is also frequently 
used for the purpose of giving balls, entertainments, and 
fancy fairs/ We are not aware that the rooms in this 



18 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

building, formerly reserved for the use of the society by 
whom it was erected, were ever open to public inspec- 
tion; but the variety of interesting objects which the 
society has permitted to be exhibited within its walls, 
will cause Masonic Hall to be always remembered with 
pleasant associations. 



THE DIOHA^HA. Z3XHIBITI0ZT, 

The hall which is used for the exhibition of the colos- 
sal paintings, to which is given the significant name of 
Diorama, is situated in George Street, between Seventh 
and Eighth. A series of historical and scripture pieces, 
painted on a very large scale, and exhibited in such a 
manner as to produce a most vivid effect, are here offered 
to the notice of the public, in succession; and they are 
understood to have attracted large numbers of visitors. 

The moral effect of fine historical pictures is very 
strong, and should commend them to the notice of all 
who are anxious to preserve in themselves or their chil- 
dren, those nicer sensibilities, on which the emotions of 
beauty and sublimity depend. 



THE FHIIiADEZiPHIii MUSEUM. 

This very extensive collection of specimens in natural 
history, originally called Peale's Museum, from its en- 
lightened and enterprising founder, Charles W. Peale, 
Esq., is at present deposited in the central apartments 
of the Arcade, in Chestnut Street, between Sixth and 
Seventh. 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 19 

The collection of specimens of mammalia is believed 
to be the most extensive in the country, and boasts the 
only entire skeleton of the mammoth which has yet been 
offered for exhibition. It was found in digging for marl, 
in Ulster county, New York. 

The collection of birds is understood to embrace all 
the specimens used by Mr. Wilson, in preparing his 
splendid American Ornithology, in addition to an im- 
mense number of foreign birds, in a very excellent state 
of preservation. 

Among the fishes is the Devil Fish, taken several years 
since off Cape May, which measures twelve feet between 
the extremities of the head and tail, and fifteen between 
those of the lateral fins. 

The mammalia and birds are arranged according to 
the system of Linnaeus. Cleaveland's arrangement has 
been followed with the minerals, and Lamarck's with 
the shells. 

In addition to the objects of natural history, there is 
a very extensive collection of specimens of utensils, 
dresses, arms, antiquities, &c., from abroad; and, per- 
haps, the finest cabinet in the world of objects illustrating 
the history, antiquities, costumes, &c. of the aboriginal 
Americans. 

Mr. Peale's collection of historical portraits is still 
preserved in the Museum, and to one who is fond of 
reviving the recollections of his country's glory, by 
perusing the features of its illustrious men, this is the 
most interesting part of this valuable and instructive 
exhibition. 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



THE OZiD STATE HOUSE. 



There is no building in the city to which more interest 
is attached than this ; and none which is more visited by 
strangers. It was in one of its apartments that Congress 
used to assemble in the times of the Revolution: and it 
was there that the Declaration of Independence was pro- 
posed, discussed, passed, and signed by Congress. On 
the steps of the door, facing on the great square, south 
of the building, the Declaration was first read and pro- 
claimed to the people. Hence the apartment has been 
called Independence Hall, and the square Independence 
Square, to this day. The bell used on that memorable 
occasion for calling the people together, although not in 
use at present, is still preserved in the steeple of the 
building, as a relic of the heroic age of American his- 
tory. There is a curious statue of Washington in Inde- 
pendence Hall, carved in wood by Rush, and said to be 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 21 

an excellent likeness. Several fine pictures by Sully 
and Inman, are also deposited in this apartment. It is 
much regretted that several years since, in consequence 
of some strange remissness on the part of the city au- 
thorities, the interior architecture of Independence Hall 
was changed. It has since been restored; so that the 
room presents the same appearance as formerly. The 
remainder of this building is used for the courts of jus- 
tice; and the wings, which extend to Fifth and Sixth 
Streets, are devoted to similar purposes. 



PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND INSTITUTIONS FOR 
THE PROMOTION OF LITERATURE AND 
SCIENCE. 

Philadelphia is rich in public libraries, and they are 
generally instituted on such liberal principles as to be- 
come very extensively useful both for the improvement of 
individuals and for the advancement of science. The 
most popular and extensive of these is 



THE CZTV ZiZBILaRir. 

This institution owes its origin to Dr. Franklin, who, 
in 1731, prevailed upon an association of his friends 
to unite their private libraries into a common stock for 
mutual improvement. From this humble beginning, it 
has now become the largest, and, we may add, the most 



22 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

extensively read library in the United States. The build- 
ing belonging to the association which was chartered 
under the name of the "Library Company of Philadel- 
phia," is situated on the east side of South Fifth Street 
below Chestnut Street, and may be readily distinguished 
by the visitor, as there is placed over the front door a 
fine marble statue of Franklin, executed in Italy and 
presented to the Company by William Bingham, Esq. 

The funds for the increase of the library are so judi- 
ciously managed as to admit of a constant supply of the 
new works of merit published in Europe and the United 
States ; and frequent large donations have been made by 
the munificence of private individuals. A circum- 
stance which distinguishes this library from most others 
in this country is that during the hours when it is open 
to the public, i. e. in the afternoon, any person may go 
in, and read or consult the books at his pleasure. He 
may even take home volumes, on leaving their value as 
a pledge for their return. Considering that the library is 
the property of a private association, instead of being the 
property of the state, we think this is liberal. Those 
libraries on the continent of Europe which are thrown 
open in this manner are national institutions, and it 
would be absurd to withhold the use of them from the 
people ; but in the present instance it is a courtesy for 
which the company deserve credit. 

The Loganian Library, appropriated for public use by 
James Logan and some of his family, is deposited in the 
same building with the City Library. It consists of up- 
wards of eleven thousand volumes chiefly in the depart- 
ment of classical literature. A fund is appropriated for 
its increase. 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 23 



THE ATHEXTEUm. 



This institution, like others in this country bearing 
the same name, is intended to furnish a place of resort 
for persons of leisure who may wish to read the news- 
papers, reviews, and scientific journals, and consult the 
library. It is well supplied with papers and journals, 
and has an excellent library of several thousand volumes. 
It is supported by the contributions of the stockholders, 
who pay twenty-five dollars per share, and four dollars 
annually, and by subscribers, who pay an annual assess- 
ment of eight dollars each. 

The Atheneum is at present located in the lower story 
of the building belonging to the American Philosophical 
Society, situated in Fifth Street below Chestnut. Stran- 
gers are introduced by subscribers or stockholders and 
after having their names entered on the books are enti- 
tled to the gratuitous use of the advantages of the insti- 
tution for one month. 

A donation of ten thousand dollars, was recently made 
to the Atheneum by W. Lehman Esq., one of its direc- 
tors for the purpose of erecting a building suitable for 
the use of the members. It has also received several 
liberal donations of books, plates, maps, &c. 



HAIiI. OF THE AMERICAN- FHII.O- 
SOFHICAI. SOCIETY. 

In the apartments over the Atheneum are the library 
and collections of the Philosophical Society, to whom 



24 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

the building belongs. The hall of this Society possesses 
considerable interest from the antiquity, and respecta- 
bility of the Society and the number of eminent men 
whose names are found on the list of its members. It 
is the oldest Society of the kind in the country, having 
been founded by Dr. Franklin as early as 1743, "a re- 
mote period of American history." The American So- 
ciety for promoting useful knowledge was united with 
it in 1769. 

The building belonging to the Society was erected 
about fifty years since on a part of Independence Square 
granted to them by the legislature of the state. 

The library contains over six thousand volumes many 
of them of great cost and rarity presented by foreign go- 
vernments and learned societies. They are arranged 
with great care and a catalogue raisonnee, one of the 
most accurate ever made in this country, has been pre- 
pared and published under the direction of the president, 
P. S. Duponceau, Esq. 

The collections of the society embrace a handsome 
cabinet of minerals and fossils, an extended series of 
Mexican and Tultecan antiquities and several other 
objects of curiosity. The paintings are chiefly portraits 
of distinguished members of the society. 

Among the former presidents of the society the names 
of Franklin, Rittenhouse, and Jefferson occur, and 
among the members some of the most distinguished men 
of science in our own and foreign countries. 

Admission to the Hall of the Philosophical Society 
may be obtained by means of an introduction to one of 
the members or to the venerable and philanthrophic se- 
cretary, John Vaughan, Esq., a gentleman very exten- 
sively known for his urbanity and hospitality to strangers, 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA, 25 

as well as for his disinterested devotion to the interests 
of science and literature in this city. 



^C^DEMV OF NATJJRAJm SCIBNCBS. 




The Academy of Natural Sciences was founded by an 
association of gentlemen in 1812, and incorporated in 1817. 
Its library, museum, &c. are deposited in the neat little 
building situated at the corner of George and Twelfth 
streets, which is the property of the association. It is 
open to visitors only on the afternoon of every Saturday. 
The museum is remarkable rather for the neatness and 
scientific accuracy of its arrangement, than for its va- 
riety or extent. In conchology and in fossils, however, 
it is very rich, and some of the members of the Academy 
appear to have made a point of rendering these depart- 
ments as complete as possible. 
3 



26 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

The library contains several thousand volumes, chiefly 
relating to natural history, and embracing many very 
rare and costly works. Some of the most valuable of 
these were presented to the Academy by Wm. M'Clure, 
Esq., one of its most active founders, and its most liberal 
benefactor. 



THE FHAXTKIiIIT INSTITUTE. 

There is no scientific institution of which Philadelphia 
has greater reason to be proud than the Franklin Insti- 
tute. Its design is " the promotion and encouragement 
of manufactures, and the mechanic and useful arts, by 
the establishment of popular lectures on the sciences con- 
nected with them; by the formation of a cabinet of models 
and minerals, and a library; by offering premiums on all 
subjects deemed worthy of encouragement; by examining 
all new inventions submitted to them; and by such other 
means as they may deem expedient." Such is the out- 
line originally sketched in the constitution; and nobly 
has it been filled up by the spirit, energy, and unremit- 
ting industry of its leading committees, cheered and 
supported by the approbation and contributions of nearly 
three thousand members. 

Without going into a detail of the history and internal 
arrangements of this Institution, it will be sufficient for 
us to say that it affords to any respectable person, who 
chooses to become a member, the privilege of hearing, 
with this family and apprentices for a very moderate 
fee, excellent courses of lectures through the autumn and 
winter months on natural philosophy, chemistry, and 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 27 

Other scientific and literary subjects; that it has accumu- 
lated rich cabinets of models and minerals, and a hand- 
some library; that it awards annually a large number of 
premiums for useful inventions; that it presents frequent 
exhibitions of American manufactures of every descrip- 
tion sufficiently attractive and brilliant to make every 
citizen glory in his country, and assigns suitable re- 
wards to superior specimens of skill and workmanship; 
and that its committees, by their superior science and 
impartiality in the examination of inventions, and deter- 
mining difficult questions in science and art, have ac- 
quired so high a character and authority as to be con- 
stantly appealed to by the departments of the state and 
general governments on points of momentous importance 
involving very heavy appropriations and expenditures. 
Such has been the happy result of industry directed by 
science. Such might be the result in any of our great 
cities, where the same degree of industry and science 
should be applied to the same useful purposes. 

The Hall of the Franklin Institute is situated in Se- 
venth street between Chestnut and Market. Its collec- 
tions may be viewed on application to its intelligent and 
indefatigable actuary, Mr. Hamilton. The exhibitions 
take place usually in the month of October at the Ma- 
sonic Hall. Strangers will find no difficulty in making 
arrangements for attending the scientific lectures during 
their stay in the city. 



28 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



THS 3MUSICAZ. FUXTD SOCZETV. 

This is an incorporated society of some fourteen years 
standing, having for its object the relief of distressed 
musicians and their families, and the cultivation of pro- 
ficiency and taste in music. What chiefly entitles it to 
our notice is the series of brilliant concerts given by the 
professors and amateurs of which it is composed, during 
the autumn and winter months. These concerts take 
place in the Hall of the Society, situated in Locust street 
between Eighth and Ninth streets. 

The concerts combine all the musical talent which 
may be available at the time, not excepting such eminent 
vocal and instrumental performers as may be then visit- 
mg the city. The Hall is also generally used for the 
purpose of giving concerts by such professors as choose 
to hire it for the purpose. 




LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



29 



THE UNIVERSITY OP FEITITS'S'Ii- 




This Institution, originally (1750) an academy and 
charity school, was chartered and endowed in 1753, 
erected into a college in 1755, and into a university in 
1779. The revival of the college as a separate institu- 
tion was effected in 1780, and the two were finally 
united into the University of Pennsylvania in 1791. 

It now comprises an academical department in which 
the usual college course of four years of instruction is 
given and degrees conferred; and the medical school, the 
most ancient and the largest in the country, the students 
generally numbering between four and five hundred. 

The new buildings at present occupied by the Univer- 
sity are situated in Ninth street between Market and 
Chestnut streets. The extensive and valuable anatomical 
museum, and the philosophical and chemical apparatus 
belonging to the institution, are well worthy the attention 



30 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

of the intelligent stranger. They may be seen on appli- 
cation to any of the trustees or professors. 



JUFFERSOIT ^fLUDlCAIi COIiZiEGE. 

This extensive and flourishing medical school was 
instituted in 1825, and soon afterwards it was chartered 
by the legislature with the usual power of conferring 
degrees in medicine. Since that period it has been gra- 
dually increasing in reputation and in the number of its 
students, which have recently risen to nearly four hun- 
dred. 

The hall is situated in Tenth street between Walnut 
and Chestnut streets. It has ample accommodations for 
the purposes of lecturing and demonstrating in medicine, 
surgery, and anatomy, and a museum comprising very 
extensive and beautiful collections and preparations in 
anatomy, materia medica, botany, mineralogy, and che- 
mistry. 

The hall and its interesting contents may be viewed 
by any respectable stranger on application to any of the 
trustees or professors. 

PUBI.IC SCHOOIjS. 

Those who are interested in popular education will be 
happy to learn that Philadelphia has a very extensive 
system of public schools, in which instruction is freely 
afforded to the children of all who choose to avail them- 
selves of Its provisions, without expense. 



LIONS OP PHILADELPHIA. 



31 



Our limits will not permit us to point out the locality 
of each of the school houses; but those who are curious 
in these matters will have no difiiculty in finding them 
by inquiry, and we can assure them on the authority 
of experience that they will be courteously greeted, and 
afforded any information with respect to the school sys- 
tem which they may desire, on application to any of the 
instructors, who may always be found at their posts and 
on duty during the hours usually devoted to the business 
of school instruction. 



ASITImJJUL for the DEiLF ANT> DUIMCB. 




This interesting school was incorporated in 1821 with 
a grant of 8,000 dollars, and a further grant of 160 
dollars per annum for four years for the support and 
education of each indigent mute child in the state admit- 
ted to the institution, provided the sum total per annum 
should not exceed 8,000 dollars. The building, which is 



32 LIONS or PHILADELPHIA. 

situated in Broad street near Pine street, was erected in 
1824 after a design of Mr. Haviland. 

Strangers are admitted to witness the exercises of the 
pupils on one afternoon every week on obtaining a per- 
mit from one of the directors. The exhibition is a very- 
curious and interesting one. The teachers explain to 
the audience the language of signs, which it appears is a 
natural language essentially the same with all mutes, 
and of which the rudiments are brought to the institution 
by each pupil. They then demonstrate the modes by 
which they make this natural language of signs available 
in communicating ideas to the pupils; and display the 
gradual and truly wonderful process by which they are 
led from the simplest elements of instruction to the higher 
and more abstruse subjects of physical, moral, and intel- 
lectual science. This exhibition is so curious and so 
perfectly intelligible to any person of common under- 
standing, that it gives universal satisfaction to visitors, 
and sends every one away with a full conviction of the 
benevolent and extensively useful character of the Insti- 
tution. 



PUBLIC SQ,VAR£:S AND GARDBXS. 

The noble and liberal appropriation of our large 
public squares, and of several broad streets equivalent 
to public squares in airiness, is to be attributed to the 
wisdom and foresight of the great founder of our com- 
monwealth. His original plan made all the streets 
wider than they are at present, in etfect, it being his 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 33 

design that the houses should be set back on the lots so 
as to afford little areas in front. Moreover, it was his 
intention that Front street should be what its name indi- 
cates; and should front upon the river Delaware without 
the intervention of buildings; but Water street, with its 
immense warehouses, has been built up in defiance of 
the benevolent intentions of Penn; and it is a part of the 
purpose of the splendid bequest of Girard to the city, to 
remedy, in some measure, the evils and inconveniences 
which have arisen from this palpaple disregard of the 
founder's intention. 



Directly south of the State House, between Fifth and 
Sixth streets and Chestnut and Walnut streets, we have 
already had occasion to notice in connection with Inde- 
pendence Hall. It is a most delightful promenade, open 
at all seasons, planted with a great variety of trees, and 
laid out with gravel walks. It is a famous place for 
civic and political meetings, and is always resorted to 
when the sovereign people are to be harangued on such 
" a prodigious great scale," that no house or hall in the 
city will hold them. It will be observed with interest 
that, although this is the scene of so many gatherings of 
the people and even of the general elections of city and 
state officers, members of congress, &c., when there is 
much excitement among the people, yet the delicate trees 
and other ornaments of the place never suffer any injury 
on these occasions. The place alwa)''s presents the same 
elegant and finished appearance. 



34 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA, 



VTASKIXrGTO^i- squahb. 

This was formerly the Potter's Field, or burial place 
for strangers; and a dismal place enough, they say, it 
was in those days. However, every vestige of the grave 
yard has now disappeared, and by means of beautiful 
trees, gravelled walks, and a handsome iron fence, it has 
become the most elegant square in the city, and is most 
resorted to in summer and autumn as a public prome- 
nade. It is situated between Walnut and Spruce streets, 
and Sixth and Washington streets. It is closed during 
the winter. 



Situated between Race and Vine streets, and Sixth and 
Franklin streets. This square is laid out in gravel 
walks, planted with trees, surrounded with an elegant 
iron railing and thrown open to the public. It is very 
large, and the trees present a wilder and more pictu- 
resque appearance than in the others already mentioned. 



This was formerly the site of the building used as water 
works for the supply of the city. After the construc- 
tion of the new water works at Fair Mount, the building 
was removed, and the square was divided into four equal 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 35 

parts by extending Broad and Market streets directly- 
through it. Neither this nor Logan SauARE, between Race 
and Vine streets, and Schuylkill Fourth and Fifth, nor 
RiTTENHousE SciUARE, betwceu Walnut and Ann, and 
Schuylkill Fourth and Fifth streets, are much used as yet. 
They have not been put in order for promenades. But 
as the city improvements extend towards the west, these 
places will become necessary for the accommodation of 
the public, and will, no doubt, be ornamented in the same 
manner as those in the eastern part of the city. 

But if the western part of the city has its public 
squares less adorned than the eastern, it may boast a 
greater superiority in the number of its beautiful and 
extensive gardens belonging to individuals, but open to 
the public. Among these 



Iff'ARAXT'S GARDSM-, 

Between Filbert and Courtland streets, and Schuylkill 
Fifth and Sixth streets, is one of the most frequented. 
The proprietor appears to take pride in the extent and 
variety of his botanical collections as well as in the neat- 
ness of his arbours, walks, &c., for the accommodation 
of visitors. 



ZiAXTDRETH'S GARDEIT, 

On Federal street, near the Schuylkill, has a very 
extensive botanical collection, and is elegantly laid out. 
The proprietor has a store in Chestnut street below Third 
for the sale of plants, &c. 



36 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



^AB.^BB?B GiLHDEST, 



On Prime street, near Tenth, has a very extensive 
collection of plants, and is very handsomely laid out 



HIBBEST'S G^RSEXT, 

On Thirteenth street, between Lombard and South 
streets, is much visited as a botanical garden, especially 
at those seasons when the immense collection of japoni- 
cas or dahlias happen to be in full flower. 

We might fill the remainder of our pages with an 
enumeration and description of the gardens in the west- 
ern parts of the city, which are resorted to for recreation 
during the summer season particularly. The stranger 
who takes a walk towards the Schuylkill can hardly fail 
to fall in with some one of them, where he may pass an 
hour very pleasantly, especially if he should happen to 
have a turn for the study of botany. 



PUBLIC BUILDINGS, &c., ^WITHIN THE CITY. 

The public buildings of Philadelphia are generally in 
good taste. Many of them are constructed upon the best 
Grecian models; and others are after approved models 
in the Gothic style. The width and regularity of the 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 37 

Streets and considerable size of the lots generally appro- 
priated for public buildings, are circumstances very- 
favourable to the display of architectural elegance and 
taste. In some cities that we could mention, the finest 
specimens of architecture lose their effect by the bad 
choice of lots and an ill-judged parsimony in the pur- 
chase of the ground, which leaves space for unsightly 
encroachments. It is very seldom that one finds occasion 
to complain of Philadelphia in this respect. The lots 
for banks, churches, public halls, «fcc., are generally 
selected in commanding situations, and ground enough 
is purchased to give the architect fair play. 

The stranger will be richly repaid for a walk of 
several hours through the streets, for the purpose of 
examining the exterior of our public buildings. 



THE UiriTED STATES BA2TIC. 




This is one of the most chaste specimens of Grecian ar- 
chitecture in the country. It is on the model of the Par- 



38 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA, 

thenon at Athens, the colonnades on the sides, and certain 
other merely decorative parts of the original being dis- 
pensed with in the copy. The style of the exterior 
is Doric and the materials are American and Italian 
marble. The great banking room in the centre of the 
building is ornamented with Ionic pillars, sculpture, &c. 
and is richly worth a visit, even if one has no special 
business at the bank. 

The building was commenced on the 19th of April, 
1819, and finished in 1824, It cost nearly half a million 
of dollars. 

This bank, which is now called the United States 
Bank of Pennsylvania, received its present charter from 
the state of Pennsylvania in 1836. Its capital is thirty- 
five millions of dollars. Its previous history, as the 
Bank of the United States, is too well known to require 
any notice in this connection. 



BANK OF PHIIiiiBIIIiPHIil.. 

The large and beautiful building, situated in Chestnut 
street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, on the lot conti- 
guous to that of the United States Bank, is occupied by 
the Bank of Philadelphia, We must defer a description 
of the building until it shall be finished. 

This bank was chartered for twenty years, in 1804, 
with a capital of two millions of dollars, of which the 
state holds upwards of half a million. In 1823 it was 
rechartered for fifteen years. 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 39 



GZRARD BANK. 

This elegant edifice was built and first occupied by 
the old Bank of the United States. After the expiration 
of the charter of that Institution, it was purchased by 
Stephen Girard, Esq., and was for a long lime used by 
him as a banking house. At his decease, a new bank 
was chartered, called the Girard Bank, and the building 
has since that time been occupied by this bank. It is a 
very spacious building, with a marble front, and a portico 
with six marble columns of the Corinthian order. It is 
situated in Third Street, between Chestnut and Walnut 
streets. 



BANK OF PB1TXTSVI.VAITIA. 

The banking house of this bank is a beautiful marble 
edifice, situated between Second and Dock Streets, hav- 
ing a handsome front on each of these streets, and a 
spacious area planted with trees, on Dock street. It was 
built under the direction of Mr. Latrobe, and is consi- 
dered one of the purest specimens of Grecian architecture 
in this country. The design was taken from the Temple 
of the Muses, on the Ilyssus, near Athens. It has, on 
each front, porticoes with six Ionic columns supporting 
entablatures and pediments. The interior is worth exa- 
mining on account of its architectural neatness and good 
taste. The Bank of Pennsylvania was first chartered, 
for twenty years, in 1793. Its charter was renewed for 
twenty years in 1810. The capital stock is two millions 



40 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA, 

five hundred thousand dollars, of which the state holds 
one million five hundred thousand. It has branches 
established at Lancaster and Easton. 

The other banks in the city are plain buildings, with- 
out much pretension to architectural elegance. 



THE UNITED STATES MINT. 




Among the first objects which claim the attention of 
strangers is the United States Mint. The new building 
for the mint is situated in Chestnut street above Thir- 
teenth. It was erected in 1829-30. The architecture is 
Ionic, copied from a Grecian temple on the Ilyssus 
near A.thens, by Mr. Strickland. The operations of 
coining are well worthy of attention. The melting of 
the metal, casting it into heavy ingots, drawing it out 
into thin laminae, cutting out the circular pieces, milling 
and stamping upon them the impressions which they are 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



41 



to retain, form a very interesting spectacle; and the ele- 
gant machinery employed in these processes is the ad- 
miration of intelligent visitors. 

The hours for visiting the mint are from 9 till 12 in 
the forenoon. No visitors are admitted in the afternoon. 



MERCHAN'TS' EXCHAXTGE. 




This splendid edifice was completed in 1833, after a 
design of Mr. Strickland. It is situated at the corner of 
Third and Walnut streets. It serves the purpose of a 
commercial and financial centre of the city. The base- 
ment story is occupied by the post office, a number of 
insurance offices, brokers' shops, and a bar room. On 
the principal story over this you find a splendid rotunda 
richly ornamented with designs of Monachesi painted on 
the ceiling, and opening upon a balcony, bounded by a 
semicircle of Corinthian pillars. In the rear of this 
room, towards Third street, is a reading room furnished 
with a good supply of files of newspapers from all parts 
4 



42 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



of the United States, to which strangers are introduced 
by the stockholders or subscribers. Here also is the 
foreign letter office. The remaining apartments of the 
building are rented to clubs of merchants and individuals, 
the nature of whose business renders such a location 
desirable. 

The building is surmounted by a cupola, which affords 
a commanding view of the commercial part of the city 
and the river. The building with the pillars in front, 
seen in the distance of the above vignette, is the Girard 
Bank. 



TENNBTrij^rJLNlA HOSPITiLI.. 




The Pennsylvania Hospital was founded, chiefly, by 
the exertions of Dr. Franklin and Dr. Bond, in 1750. 
The east wing of the building was erected in 1755, the 
west wing in 1796, and the centre building in 1804. The 
hospital, grounds, and garden, occupy the whole square 
which is bounded by Eighth, Ninth, Spruce, and Pine 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 43 

Streets. The principal front is in Pine street, between 
which and the building itself is a splendid area, planted 
with lofty trees, and laid out in grass plots. In the 
centre of this area is a colossal statue of William Penn. 
On the rear of the lot, fronting on Spruce street, is a 
small building erected for a repository of the famous 
picture by Benjamin West, representing Christ healing 
the sick. This picture has been long one of the esta- 
blished " lions" of the city. The first question asked of 
a person on his return home from Philadelphia used to 
be, " have you seen West's great picture at the hospitaH" 
If the unlucky individual had failed of this great duty, he 
might as well take up his line of march "bock again," 
otherwise he might never hear the last of it. The pic- 
ture is one of West's best, considered with reference to 
its moral etfect. As a work of art it is inferior to many 
of his performances. It is richly worth a visit, however, 
as well as the hospital itself, which comprises not only 
accommodations for indigent patients, as well as those 
who pay, but an asylum for the insane, and a lying-in 
hospital for married women. It has also a large and 
elegant library, surgical amphitheatre, &c. On ascend- 
ing to the roof of the building the visitor obtains a fine 
bird's-eye view of the city. The position is not quite so 
commanding as that from the steeple of the state house, 
but one should not be satisfied without a view of the city 
from both of these points as well as from the summit of 
Fair Mount. 



44 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



MARKETS. 

The Philadelphians are justly proud of the extent and 
richness of their provision markets. They are probably 
as fine as any in the world, if we take into consideration 
the abundance and excellence of the provisions, and the 
low prices at which they are afibrded to the purchaser. 
The beef is of an excellent quality, and the mutton is only 
surpassed by that of the English markets. The butter is 
universally celebrated for its sweetness and freshness. 
Fruit in great abundance and at very low prices is 
brought from the gardens of New Jersey and our own 
state. Fresh fish is obtained from the neighbouring 
rivers and is also brought from the ocean preserved in 
ice. Poultry is ofiered in the market in abundance at 
all seasons of the year; and the vegetables are not sur- 
passed in variety and goodness in any other market in 
the country. 



HIGH STUEIIT Mi^llKST. 

The buildings for the accommodation of dealers in 
fresh provisions in this street extend from Front street 
to Eighth street. The old buildings have been recently 
taken down, and new and more elegant ones erected on 
their sites. A walk through these early in the morning 
presents the stranger with a lively scene, and affords a 
favourable idea of the good living for which our city is 
renowned. 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 45 



SOUTH SECOND STREET MARXET, 

This market house is situated in South Second street, 
and extends from Pine to South street. It is the second 
in point of date, and in the abundance of its supplies. 

irORTZI SECOND STREET lYEARKET. 

This market house is situated in North Second street, 
and extends from Coats's street to Poplar lane. It is well 
supplied with provisions. 

The other market houses, situated in various parts of 
the city, present little to attract the attention of stran- 
gers. 



SHOT TOAVERS. 

There are two shot towers in Philadelphia, one in the 
city, and the other in Southwark; but we will so far 
depart from our plan as to notice them both in connec- 
tion. 

Beck's shot tower stands near the Schuylkill river, 
north of Arch street. It is a square tower, thirty-three 
feet in diameter at the base, and twenty-two feet at the 
summit. Its height is one hundred and sixty-six feet. 
It is capable of supplying shot at the rate of from three 
to five tons per day. 



46 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

Spark's shot tower stands in Southwark, near the navy 
yard. It is of a circular form, thirty feet in diameter 
at the base, and fifteen feet at the top. 

Any one who will take the trouble to ascend to the top 
of either of these towers will, of course, be rewarded by 
a fine view of the city and the surrounding country. 



CHURCHE S, 



It can hardly be expected that we should describe, or 
even enumerate the several churches of the city. A 
slight notice of each would far exceed our limits. We 
shall only make a few remarks on the general style of 
architecture prevailing among these buildings, and point 
out a small number which may serve as specimens. 
Most of the large churches in Philadelphia are built 
after one or another of the Grecian orders of architec- 
ture, and they are generally executed in very good taste. 
There are a few specimens of the Gothic style, as it is 
generally called, and a considerable number which can 
be referred to no acknowledged rules of architectural 
taste. It is a curious fact, that, among our many 
churches, there are but two which send up spires to any 
considerable height. These are the Presbyterian church 
in Arch street above Tenth, and Christ's Church in 
Second street. The Gothic towers of St. Stephen's, of 
which we have given a view, were originally intended 
to be extended into very lofty pinnacles, diminishing in 
the proportion indicated in the finished part of these 
beautiful edifices. For some reason unknown to us, this 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



47 



design was abandoned for the time. We trust that the 
original intention may still be carried out, and that at no 
distant day, 

PROTESTANT EPISCOPALIAN. 

ST, STEFHEIT'S CHURCH. 




This fine specimen of Gothic architecture is situated 
in Tenth street, between Market and Chestnut streets. 
It was consecrated in 1823. It is one hundred and two 
feet in length. The octagonal towers, to which we have 
already referred, are eighty-six feet in height, and the 
style of the building, both internally and externally, being 
carefully preserved throughout, it affords one of the best 
specimens of the Gothic in the country. It belongs to a 
society of the Episcopalian church, which is, at present, 
under the pastoral care of Dr. Ducachet. 



48 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



ST. 



In Eighth street, between Locust and Spruce streets, 
presents a handsome specimen of Grecian architecture. 
Its front is said to be a copy of the portico of the Temple 
of Bacchus, at Teos. The original plan included a spire 
at the western end of the building, which, if the church 
had been in any other city than Philadelphia, would, 
probably, have been completed long ago; but, situated as 
it is, the foundation only has been laid. We are unable 
to say when the steeple may be expected to rise. 

St. Andrew's is an Episcopal church. The present 
rector is the Rev. John A. Clark. 



In Second street, between Market and Arch streets, is 
an interesting building on account of its antiquity and 
its venerable appearance. It will soon become a point 
of attraction to strangers, on account of the elegant mar- 
ble monument to the memory of the late Bishop White, 
which is to be erected within its walls. 

The other Episcopal churches, deserving the notice of 
the stranger, on account of their architecture or their 
situation, are St. Peter's, at the corner of Third and 
Pine streets; St. Paul's, in Third street, below Walnut; 
and Grace church, in Twelfth street, between Arch and 
Race streets. 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA, 49 

ROMAN CATHOLIC. 
ST, JOHN'S CHURCH. 




This is an elegant Gothic edifice, situated in Thir- 
teenth street, between Chestnut and Market streets. The 
interior is ornamented in a rich style, and, in addition 
to the decorations of the altar, it has some windows set 
with antique stained glass, and some fine paintings illus- 
trative of scripture subjects, by Monachesi. Connected 
with this church, is a school, and we believe an orphan 
asylum, which is kept in the building called the Gothic 
Mansion, in Chestnut street. The pastor is the Rev. Mr. 
Hughes. 

The other principal churches belonging to the Catho- 
lics in this city, are the Cathedral Church of St. Mary's, 



50 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



in Fourth street, between Spruce and Pine streets; St. 
Augustine, in Fourth street, near Vine street; and the 
Holy Trinity, at the corner of Spruce and Sixth streets. 

PRESBYTERIAN. 
THE FIRST THES'BTrTIlILlA.N CHURCH. 




This fine edifice is situated on the south side of Wash- 
ington square. It was erected in 1822. It is of the Ionic 
order of architecture, on the model of a temple on the 
Ilyssus, near Athens. The material is brick covered 
with mortar, and painted in imitation of marble. The 
pastor is the Rev. Albert Barnes. 

The Presbyterians have about twenty more churches 
in the city, among which, the Fifth, in Arch street, above 
Tenth street, and a new church at the southeast corner 
of Eighth and Cherry streets, are remarkable for archi- 
tectural beauty. 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



51 



UNITARIAN. 



UITZTARIiiir CHURCH. 




The Unitarians have but one place of public worship 
in the city, a neat, little, Doric edifice, at the corner of 
Tenth and Locust streets. The pastor is the Rev. W. 
H. Furness. 

The other denominations of Christians in the city- 
have a large number of churches, built in various styles 
of architecture, and possessing various degrees of merit 
in their style and execution. Some of them are elegant, 
as, for example, St, John's, a German Lutheran church, 
in Race street, above Fifth street, of which the Rev. Dr. 
Mayer is pastor; and the Second Universalist Church, 
at the corner of Crown and Callowhill streets. But the 
majority of them would hardly arrest the attention of a 
stranger by their architectural neatness or elegance. 



52 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



THE JEWS. 

Many strangers who come to the city express a very 
natural desire to witness the religious exercises of the 
Jews. They have three synagogues in the city. The 
most remarkable of them is situated in Cherry street, 
above Third street, built in the Egyptian style, from a 
design of Mr. Strickland. It is open on Saturday morn- 
ings, when the service is performed. 

Another synagogue is situated in Church alley, be- 
tween Second and Third streets, and another in Pear 
street, above Dock street. 



THE SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. 

Philadelphia is the central point from which this im- 
mense establishment sends forth its publications through- 
out the country. The deposite for books and the offices 
of the secretaries are situated in Chestnut street, between 
Sixth and Seventh streets. 



HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES. 



^fllLNSION HOUSE! KOTEI<. 

Mr. Head's hotel, the ancient mansion house of the 
Bingham family, situated in Third street, betweed Wal- 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 53 

nut and Spruce streets, is one of the most celebrated in 
the country. It hardly has its superior for comfort and 
convenience in the world. Its reputation is so well 
established that no room in it is ever vacant for more 
than a few hours. As the rule is understood to be never 
to engage rooms in advance, the first applicant after a 
room is actually vacated receives the preference. So 
that a visitor on arriving in the city, although he can 
never be sure of having a room at the Mansion House, 
is, on the other hand, never certain of being excluded. 



UNlTiny STATES HOTEI.. 

This large and commodious hotel is situated in Chest- 
nut street, opposite the United States Bank, and, on 
account of its central situation and the general excellence 
of its arrangements, it is the most popular house of 
entertainment in the city. It is kept by Mr. Dorrance. 



MARSHAiii. Hoxrsi:. 

This elegant hotel is situated in Chestnut street, be- 
tween Sixth and Seventh streets. It is much resorted to 
by gentlemen who have their families with them, and 
affords excellent accommodation for them, as well as for 
single visitors. 



54 LIONS OP PHILADELPHIA. 



irORTH iSLMEniCAir HOTEIi. 

This house is situated in Chestnut street, between 
Sixth and Seventh streets. It is kept by Mrs. Yohe, who, 
for many years, presided over a very popular hotel in 
Fourth street, between Market and Arch streets. The 
North American Hotel is much frequented by visitors 
from the South and West, and affords accommodations 
for an immense number of lod^fers. 



CIT-Sr HOTEL, 

In Third street, between Market and Arch streets, a 
very large establishment, and celebrated for the excel- 
lence of its arrangements, and the extent of its accom- 
modations for visitors. 



IMEHCHAI^T'S HOTEIi, 

In Fourth street, between Market and Arch streets. 
This is a new establishment just opened, by Mr. Sander- 
son, and affords very excellent accommodations. The 
building has a handsome front with a fine colonnade and 
open balcony in the second story. 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



COITGRESS HAIiI., 



An old and celebrated establishment, in Chestnut 
street, between Second and Third streets, extending into 
Third street where it has another front. 

There is a large number of hotels on a smaller scale 
than those we have enumerated, generally distinguished 
by good attendance and abundance of good cheer. Among 
the more extensive and respectable boarding houses, 
suitable for the resort of gentlemen who are accompanied 
by their families, may be reckoned Mrs, Allen's, in 
Sixth street, between Chestnut and Walnut streets; Mrs, 
AUibone's, in Fourth street, between Walnut and Spruce 
streets; Mrs. Crim's and Mrs. Prentiss's, in Walnut 
street, between Fourth and Fifth streets; and several 
others, the direction to whose locality can generally be 
obtained at the bar of the principal hotels. 



This cemetery is situated at the southwest corner of 
Ninth and Shippen streets, and is as elegant as that of 
Mount Auburn is wild and picturesque. It is surrounded 
by a brick wall surmounted by an iron railing, and is 
laid out in parallelograms with walks between, and 
planted with innumerable trees, shrubs, and flowers. The 
effect of the white marble monuments standing in their 
straight and beautiful symmetry among the green foliage 
of the trees, and the many coloured flowers, is very 
striking. 



56 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

The cemetery was founded by a priv^ate gentleman, 
James Ronaldson, Esq., and the lots are conveyed in fee 
simple to individuals for the sole purpose of burial lots 
and monuments. It is open to visitors on week days, 
but is very properly closed on the Sabbath. 

This delightful spot, although not within the bounda- 
ries of the city, may be reached in a walk of fifteen 
minutes from any of the principal hotels. We have, 
therefore, included it among the objects of curiosity 
within the city. 



mANTJFJBLCTOIiTT OF PORCEZ.AZir. 

This establishment is situated in Chestnut street, w^est 
of Broad street. The specimens of China and porcelain 
ware produced here are pronounced equal in respect of 
durability and superior in strength to that imported from 
abroad. The processes of the manufacture are very 
curious, and the display of beautiful vases, tea sets, 
dining sets, &c., is well worth the attention of the visitor. 



COOKS'S HQUSSTRIiLK CIRCUS, 

"We were not able to obtain a description of this circus 
before the form of this volume containing an account of 
the theatres went to press. We now insert a description 
copied from the United States Gazette. 

This circus, intended for Cooke's celebrated equestrian 
company, will not be entirely finished until some time 
in September next, when it is supposed it will be occu- 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 57 

pied by the troop, now " doing duty" in Boston, and 
which has so long attracted attention in New York. The 
building intended for their use here, will be finished 
with a good deal of taste, judging from the specimens of 
various embellishments already completed. The whole 
interior devoted to the audience, and which will contain, 
it is estimated, about two thousand persons, is to be 
lighted; by a single chandelier, suspended from the dome 
in the centre. This will be a magnificent afiair; second 
only, perhaps, in point of splendour, while exceeding in 
dimensions, the famous chandelier at the St. Charles' 
Theatre, New Orleans. It will be illuminated by gas, 
which will stream upon the audience in a flood of light, 
through upwards of two thousand burners, creating a 
dazzling efiect, in keeping with the gorgeous decora- 
tions of the other portions of the establishment. The 
diameter of the ring is forty-three feet, affording a con- 
siderably larger space than is ordinarily allowed to 
equestrian performances. To this there are three en- 
trances, sufficiently capacious to admit of two horsemen 
riding abreast. There are stalls for the accommodation 
of between forty and fifty horses, arranged at either 
extreme, east and west, of the building, with an exten- 
sive saloon, dressing rooms, &c. In fact, the whole dis- 
position of the interior shows an admirable tact in econo- 
mising room. The front on Chestnut street has been 
admired for its neat and classical appearance, and really 
constitutes no inconsiderable attraction to that neigh- 
bourhood. 
5 



58 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



OBJECTS OF CURIOSITY AND INTEREST IN 
THE ENVIRONS OP THE CITY. 



Rich as our city itself is in objects of interest to the 
stranger, the environs are hardly less so. An after- 
noon's ride in any direction from the city will enable 
jone to visit several of the objects which we shall enu- 
merate in the following pages. For example, one may 
ride out on the Ridge Road, and see the House of 
Refuge, the Eastern Penitentiary, Lemon Hill Garden, 
and the Waterworks, in three hours. He may then, if 
the afternoon be a long one, proceed to the Laurel Hill 
Cemetery, cross the Schuylkill just beyond that spot, 
and, passing to the southward on the west side of the 
river, he may call at the new Alms House, and Bartram's 
Garden, recross the river at Gray's Ferry, and, returning, 
may just look in upon the Arsenal and Marine Hospital, 
and return to his hotel with jaded horses and a good 
appetite. If he should take a whole day for this excur- 
sion, dining at some hotel on the way, it might be easily 
accomplished. 

Again, if the stranger be inclined to visit Point Breeze 
and take some strawberries at one of its hotels, he may 
arrive there in a ride of half an hour, and easily find 
his way from thence to the navy yard, or Gloucester 
Point, or both, and have a pleasant afternoon's excursion. 

A trip to Kensington will afford him a view of the 
ship yards, glass house, and the Penn's Treaty Monu- 
ment, and give him an idea of the extent and populous- 
ness of the northern suburbs. Or he may take the rail 
road to Germantown, view the battle ground, and ramble 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



59 



among the famous rural retreats of the Wissahiccon. 
Either of these excursions may be accomplished in an 
afternoon, but that to Germantown would more agree- 
ably occupy a whole day. 

We proceed to describe some of the more remarkable 
" Lions" to be seen in the neighbourhood of the city. 



"WiLTSR -WORKS. 




This is the most useful of the public institutions for 
promoting the physical comfort and convenience of the 
citizens. It is justly considered the "Great Lion," The 
first thing a visitor is recommended to do by way of 
recreation, is to ride out and see the water works. Until 
he has seen them, he has seen nothing. 

The city was formerly watered by means of steam 
engines and other apparatus for raising water from the 
Schuylkill ; and these water works were situated in a 
building on Centre Square, (now Penn Square,) at the 



60 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

intersection of Broad and Market streets. This mode of 
watering the city was found to be inefficient and expen- 
sive. An inquiry was set on foot as to the possibility of 
employing water instead of steam power, which resulted 
in a satisfactory report, and, in 1819, the new water works 
were commenced. A dam was thrown across the Schuyl- 
kill opposite Fair Mount, and a race formed on the east- 
ern side. Water wheels were constructed for propelling 
the pistons of large forcing pumps, by means of which, 
the water taken from the Schuylkill is thrown up through 
iron pipes into several large reservoirs on the summit of 
Fair Mount. This level being higher than the roofs of 
the highest buildings in the city, the water is easily dis- 
tributed from thence to all parts of the city and liberties 
at a much less expense than could ever have been accom- 
plished by the use of steam. Three wJieels and pumps 
were completed in December, 1822, and the works went 
into operation. Since then they have been enlarged by 
additional pumps, wheels, reservoirs, &c., and the wooden 
pipes, at first used, have been replaced by iron ones. 

The original cost of the present water works was less 
than half a million of dollars. That of the old and 
inefficient steam contrivance was over a million. 

A stranger may take passage in an omnibus at the 
Merchants' Exchange, and reach the water works in 
half an hour. When at Fair Mount he has several 
other interesting sights within a few minutes' walk. 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 61 



Formerly called Pratt's Garden, and for many years 
an established resort for strangers. Lemon Hill is the 
beautiful country seat which you see immediately above 
the water works on the east bank of the Schuylkill. It 
was formerly owned by Henry Pratt, Esq., and it was by 
the courtesy of this gentleman, that the beautiful bota- 
nical garden, orangery, green house, &c., were, for 
many years, open to the inspection of strangers. It has 
recently changed hands, and, for the last summer or two, 
it has been exhibited for the benefit of some public cha- 
rity. 

The garden is one of the finest in the country, and the 
grounds are very tastefully laid out. 



FIiOOR CIiOTH IMiLITUFACTORV, 

This establishment is situated at Bush Hill, northwest 
of the city. It is one of the largest in the country, and 
has furnished many specimens of the best kinds of floor 
cloths. Some of them are woven in pieces of one hun- 
dred and forty square yards without seam. 



62 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



THE EASTERN FENITEKTTIARir, 




The large edifice, resembling some baronial castle of 
the middle ages, which is situated on the high ground 
northwest of the cit}^ and may easily be recognised by 
referring to the above engraving, is a state prison. It is 
one of the most remarkable buildings in the country on 
many accounts. Its immense extent, covering about ten 
acres of ground, was rendered necessary on account of 
the system adopted by the legislature of confining each 
convict in a separate cell. The method adopted for 
affording to the superintendant an opportunity of survey- 
ing the door and yard of each cell at a glance from a 
high tower in the centre, is simple, and, at the same time, 
very ingenious and effective. The ranges of cells radi- 
ate from the central tower to the high wall, which 
bounds the premises, and thus unite a variety of advan- 
tages more easily understood by a single half hour's 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 63 

visit to the spot, than by a volume of description. Every 
stranger who is likely ever to be called on for an opinion 
or a vote respecting prison discipline in his own state, 
should, on visiting the city, examine the Eastern Peni- 
tentiary of Pennsylvania, and see how it works. Persons 
have already crossed the Atlantic with hardly any other 
object in view. In order to be sure of admission, it is 
necessary to procure a permit from one of the superin- 
tendants residing in the city. 



HOUSS OF xtEFuai:. 

On the same street with the Eastern Penitentiary, and 
at its junction with the Ridge Road, is situated the 
House of Refuge, an establishment which is calculated 
to interest the feelings of the Christian and the philan- 
thropist. It is intended for reclaiming the vicious or 
abandoned of both sexes, under mature age, by means of 
retirement, employment, discipline, and instruction. A 
minute account of this establishment may be found in 
one of the small volumes published by the Sunday 
School Union. 



RAIIiROAD BRIDGE OVER THE 
SCHUVIiKIIiIi. 



The visitor, by taking passage in one of the railroad 
cars at the depot in Broad street, near Race street, may, 
in a few minutes, be transported across this grand work 



64 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

which affords a passage for the Columbia railroad across 
the Schuylkill above the water works. On the west side 
of the Schuylkill is an inclined plane, and the necessary 
apparatus for its use, which presents another spectacle, 
quite interesting to the admirers of machinery, railroads, 
&c. 



IXEARKET STREET BRIDGE, ANH 
UPPER BRIDGE. 



As the visitor stands on the summit of Fair Mount, 
looking to the southwest, he will observe two elegant 
bridges across the Schuylkill. The three-arched bridge 
opposite Market street, was erected, in 1798, by a private 
corporation which still exists, and receives the proceeds 
of the tolls . It cost 225,000 dollars, besides 40,000 dollars 
for the site. 

The single-arch bridge a few paces south of the water 
works, is an elegant structure. The span of the arch is 
three hundred and forty feet four inches, probably the 
largest single arch in the world. It is the work of Lewis 
Wernwag, and cost 150,000 dollars. 




LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



65 



aiRiLIlD COIiliHGE. 




The Girard College is situated on a tract of land 
containing forty-five acres, in the northwestern environs 
of Philadelphia, about one mile from the incorporated 
limits of the city. 

The principal entrance to the establishment will be on 
the south line of the lots, immediately opposite the centre 
building. This entrance forms the termination of a 
broad avenue leading from the city; it consists of two 
octagonal lodges, with gates and piers, which, together, 
occupy a front of one hundred and nine feet. 

The college buildings are situated on lines parallel 
with the city streets, presenting their principal fronts to 
the north and the south; they consist of a centre edifice, 
which is devoted exclusively to the purposes of education, 
and two " out buildings" on each side, for the " residence 
and accommodation" of professors, teachers, and scholars. 



66 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

The centre buildino^, which forms the principal and 
most imposing object, is composed in the Corinthian 
order of architecture. It is surrounded by thirty-four 
columns, supporting an entablature after the manner of a 
Greek temple; the columns rest upon a basement of 
eight feet high, composed of a continuous flight of marble 
steps, surrounding the whole building. Each column is 
six feet in diameter at the bottom of the shaft, and fifty- 
five feet high, including capital and base. The shafts 
are composed of frusta from three to six feet in height; 
the base is three feet high, and its greatest diameter nine 
feet two inches; and its extreme widih eight feet four 
inches. 

The whole height of the entablature is sixteen feet; 
each end of the building is finished with a pediment of 
eighteen feet elevation, making the entire height of the 
edifice, from the ground to the apex of the roof, ninety- 
seven feet. 

The dimensions of the platform, upon which the co- 
lumns rest, is one hundred and sixty feet, by two hun- 
dred and seventeen feet six inches, leaving a passage 
round the cella of the building, in the clear of the 
columns, of fifteen feet. 

At each end of the cella there is a door of entrance 
sixteen feet wide, and thirty-two feet high, in the clear, 
ornamented with massive architraves, and surmounted 
by a sculptured cornice, supported by consoles. The 
stones composing these cornices, are each in one entire 
piece of marble, twenty-five feet in length. Each of the 
doors open into a vestibule, twenty-six feet wide, by 
forty-eight feet long, the ceiling of which is supported 
by eight marble columns, and eight antee, of the Ionic 
order. These vestibules are repeated as lobbies, in the 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 67 

second story, and the ceiling is supported in the same 
manner by Corinthian columns. 

The stairwa)'s are situated in the four corners of the 
building, and receive the greater part of their light from 
the roof. 

On each floor or story, there are four rooms of fifty 
feet square in the clear. The ceilings of the first two 
stories are groin arched, and those of the third story are 
vaulted in the form of a dome, and crowned with a sky 
light of twenty feet in diameter ; all the sky lights are 
so formed as not to protrude above the roof. 

The floors and stairways throughout the building, are 
composed of marble, and no wood is used except for 
doors. 

The whole building is warmed by means of furnaces 
built in the cellar; flues for ventilation are constructed 
in the interior walls, having their apertures at the apex 
of the arch in each room. 

The " out buildings" are each fifty-two feet wide, one 
hundred and twenty-five feet long, and three stories high; 
the easternmost building being exclusively devoted to 
the use of the professors, is divided into four separate 
and distinct houses, with all the conveniences of private 
dwellings. The remaining three buildings are intended 
for the residence and accommodation of the scholars 
and their attendants. 




LIONS OP PHILADELPHIA. 



iiAUREii mill. cmamTERTT. 




This beautiful cemetery has recently been established 
on the eastern bank of the Schuylkill river, about five 
miles from the city. It is reached by a pleasant ride on 
the Ridge Road, through a most delightful country. It 
was projected in 1836, by an association of gentlemen 
who obtained an act of incorporation at the last session 
of the legislature. 

We extract, from the Saturday Courier, a description 
of the cemetery in its present state. It improves so 
rapidly, that, before our little manual reaches a second 
edition, this description will probable have become quite 
obsolete. 

One of the first objects which the public-spirited ma- 
nagers had in view, was to procure a spot neither so 
near the city as to be in danger of encroachment by new- 
buildings or streets, nor yet so far as to present an obsta- 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA, 69 

cle, in the time which must be employed at a funeral 
pace in reaching it. Beauty of location and a suitable 
soil were also to be consulted; with these views it was a 
long time before a suitable place could be selected ; all 
the requisites have been combined at Laurel Hill, and 
among them not the least, in our view, is the perfect 
adaptation of the site to its destined object in regard to 
scenery. 

In the second place, it was determined to divest the 
cemetery of all objects tending unnecessarily to sadden 
the heart or cast a gloomy feeling over the mind. In 
the separation from near and dear relatives and friends, 
we experience sufficient sorrow without the concomi- 
tants of a damp solitude, neglected tombs, or crowded 
walks. The entrance is a pure specimen of Roman 
Doric architecture, perhaps the only one in America. 
It occupies a space of two hundred and sixteen feet front 
on the Ridge Road, three and a half miles from Phila- 
delphia, and the enclosed grounds embrace something 
more than twenty acres, extending from the turnpike to 
the river, the greater part of the space being one hun- 
dred feet above the highest water mark. The entrance 
presents a bold and commanding appearance, through 
which is a vista of great beauty. On each side are 
lodges for the accommodation of a grave digger and a 
gardener, while within is a cottage ornee, in the English 
style, for the residence of the superintendant; a Gothic 
chapel of beautiful proportions and chaste workmanship; 
a large mansion house for visitors to rest in or to retreat 
to in case of a storm ; a handsome receiving tomb for 
those who may require its use, and stabling sufficient to 
accommodate forty carriages, should it rain at the time 
of a funeral ; with a green house intended to be filled 



70 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

with such ornamental plants and shrubs as may be re- 
quired for the embellishment of the grounds in summer, 
which will not bear the cold of winter. 

This is a summary of accommodations presented by 
no other cemetery in the world, provided by the prudent 
foresight of the company. The land is ornamented by 
a great number of magnificent forest trees, interspersed 
with evergreens of fifty years' growth, and to these have 
been added, this spring, eight hundred ornamental trees 
and shrubs, in every variety, calculated to embellish 
the view. Nature^ and art have combined their aid to 
render it one of the most enchanting spots in this or any 
country; in this opinion we are seconded by the testi- 
mony of distinguished foreigners, who have remarked, 
Avith surprise and admiration, the variety of inland and 
river views, the bold and rocky crags, the smooth in- 
clining precipice, and the level upland, concentrated, as 
it were, by an unusual effort of nature, in so small a 
space. 




LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



HEVr AZiMS HOUSE. 




As this institution is the most perfect of its kind in 
the country, we have ventured to copy, from the Satur- 
day News, an extended notice of it. It will richly repay 
the stranger for the time devoted to an examination of 
it, and we hope that the visits of intelligent persons from 
various parts of the country, may lead to the adoption of 
its improvements elsewhere. 

Opposite the lower part of the city, the river Schuyl- 
kill makes a sudden bend to the southwest, describing an 
irregular semicircle, which includes some thing more 
than half a mile in extent. On the rising ground en- 
closed by this sweep of the river, and at some distance 
from its bank, is the site of the alms house. The main 
buildings, which are four in number, are arranged in 
the form of a parallelogram, and cover and enclose an 
area of about ten acres. The front building, which faces 
the Schuylkill, is a noble piece of architecture. The 



7!a LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA, 

principal floor is at an elevation of some twenty feet, to 
which you ascend by two flights of granite steps, termi- 
nating at a portico, also of granite, which stretches a con- 
siderable distance from the front, and thus forms at once 
a most delightful promenade, and a roof for two offices 
on the ground floor beneath. From this portico rise 
eight massive pillars of solid brick work, rough cast, to 
the height of thirty feet, surmounted by granite caps, 
and resting on granite at the bases, where each is six 
feet in circumference. From this portico a most charm- 
ing and varied view may be obtained. Sloping down to 
the water's edge, is a fine green sward, checkered to the 
right with a few clumps of graceful trees; and the river 
itself winds round with a smooth and quiet flow, until lost 
among the woods at Gray's Ferry, not surpassed in pic- 
turesque effect in any part of its course. To the left the 
picture is full of objects. The permanent bridge, the 
gas works, the shot tower, the rows of dwelling houses 
in the distance, and, nearer at hand, the Schuylkill 
covered with crafts of various sizes, and vocal with the 
hum of business, are all embraced in a single glance ; 
while a slight inclination southward, enables the eye to 
take in the United States Marine Hospital, on the oppo- 
site shore. 

The centre building, which is about ninety feet in 
front, has two stories and an attic. On the first floor are 
the guardians' room, the office, the dining room, the 
kitchen, and two small fire-proof rooms. On the ground 
floor are the men's dining room, capable of accommo- 
dating five hundred persons, and a kitchen in which 
cooking is done by steam. The scrupulous and exact 
cleanliness which prevails in this portion of the esta- 
blishment is worthy of all praise. It is impossible to 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. i3 

imagine any thing in better condition. The floors are 
spotless, and the implements of furniture shine with a 
brightness of polish that might make many a fine lady 
blush who piques herself on the nice appointments of 
her household. On the second floor are eight rooms, 
occupied by the family of the steward, and the resident 
physicians. On the attic floor are also eight rooms, 
which are used as dormitories, chiefly by the very aged 
inmates, who, though not sick, are yet unable, from 
natural infirmity, to work, and who employ their time 
principally in reading the Bible. The beds in these 
apartments are comfortable in appearance, and furnished 
with linen of coarse material, but unsullied freshness. 

The north and south wings of this front building are 
appropriated as a men's alms house. They are three 
stories high, with five wards on a floor, containing one 
hundred and twelve well-ventilated dormitories, each 
for one bed only. Each ward is about forty feet square, 
and in the centre of the whole there is an open space of 
about twenty-four feet, the use of which is common to 
the inmates of all the wards. The number of wards and 
dormitories is the same on each floor, and connected 
with each there are spacious corridors ten feet in width. 
Under the north wing are a bake house with three large 
ovens, a butcher's cellar, store rooms for flour, &c. 

At the northeast corner of the square which the 
buildings form, and separated from the men's alms house 
by a lofty wall and yard, is the children's asylum. This 
is a most interesting part of the establishment. At pre- 
sent there are in the asylum over a hundred children 
male and female, from three years of age upwards. 
They are well fed, well clothed, well instructed, and' 
allowed all the exercise and recreation proper to their 
6 



74 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

years. An extensive school room has been fitted up for 
them and competent teachers employed, by whom they 
are taught all that their tender capacities can acquire. 
Most of them look robust and hearty, and though, gene- 
rally, they are outcasts and foundlings, they seem as 
happy as the most favoured of their species. Among, 
the boys we have lately seen some of the most bright- 
eyed and attractive children we have ever met any 
where; and several of the girls are sprightly and intel- 
ligent. Much credit is due to Mrs. Dungan, the excellent 
matron of the asylum for her judicious management of 
the poor little creatures who are committed to her charge. 
Her discipline, though firm, is mild, and while she en- 
forces good conduct and has established a proper obedi- 
ence, her parental deportment and kindness have warmly 
attached her little dependants to her. It is quite grati- 
fying to witness their demonstrations of respect for their 
rulers, and the strong fondness they show for the matron 
is a matter of which she may be proud. It is the most 
disinterested of all testimony, and it weighs most impor- 
tant to her advantage. 

The north building is appropriated to manufacturing 
purposes, and is called the House of Employment. There 
is here a steam engine of twelve horse power, which 
propels machinery for the manufacture of cotton and 
woollen cloths, spinning jennies, a flouring mill, &c. 

At the northwestern corner of the square is a building 
occupied by aged and blind women. In this quarter are 
also the obstetric ward and the nursery, both of which 
are wisely and humanely regulated. 

The west building is occupied as a women's alms 
house, and is similar in its general plan and arrange- 
ments to the men's alms house, in the wings of the front 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 75 

building. The same cleanliness is found in the wards, 
and kitchens, and eating rooms here, that characterises 
the whole establishment. 

The whole of the entensive range of buildings on the 
north side of the square is devoted to hospital purposes. 
Part of this range is appropriated to the insane, each sex 
occupying one of the extremes. The whole number at 
present is one hundred and twenty, the larger proportion 
being males. 

In this range are also the apothecary's shop, a well- 
filled and well-arranged apartment; the medical library, 
said to be one of the most extensive collections of valuable 
books, connected with that science, to be found in Ame- 
rica; and a lecture room capable of accommodating 
seven hundred persons. The hospital is under the direct 
charge of a committee to whose vigorous and well-di- 
rected efforts, its excellence and efficiency are in a great 
measure to be attributed. 

The square which the buildings enclose is occupied 
by various offices connected with the institution, or laid 
out in grass lots and gardens. In the centre is a spacious 
wash house, with a steeple of some elevation, containing 
a clock, the dials of which are illuminated at night. 
There is also a store, where the goods manufactured in 
the House of Employment are brought in to be distri- 
buted to the respective wards. Adjoining the hospital, 
on Its outer side, is the garden, laid out with much taste, 
and, in the summer season, offering a most inviting 
prospect. 

The whole number of acres belonging to the alms 
house is about one hundred and eighty-eight. Of these, 
forty are meadow land of the finest quality. The re- 
mainder, not immediately occupied by the buildings or 



76 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

the gardens, is cultivated by a skilful farmer, and yields 
a very ample product. 

The management of the alms house is confided by 
law to twelve citizens, chosen respectively for terms of 
three years each, eligible to re-election by the city coun- 
cils, and the different district corporations. These gen- 
tlemen receive no compensation for their services, though 
the duties they are required to perform consume a large 
portion of their time, and impose considerable labour. 

The superintendence of the whole establishment, sub- 
ject, of course, to the control of the guardians, is confided 
to the steward. The gentleman who at present fills that 
station, Mr. Stockton, is amply qualified. His general 
intelligence, his sagacity, his quick observation, and the 
familiar knowledge he possesses in regard to every thing 
belonging to his duties, enables him to fulfil them, 
onerous as they undoubtedly are, with ease and precision. 
Not an object can be found in any part of the establish- 
ment that does not denote careful and constant watchful- 
ness, while the quiet and unobtrusive manner in which 
every thing is managed shows that it is the result of a 
sound, practical, presiding intelligence. 



A.t the distance of a mile below Gray's Ferry, on the 
west bank of the Schuylkill, is the beautiful botanical 
garden founded by the celebrated botanist Mr. Bartram. 
It is laid out very tastefully, with more regard to the wild 
luxuriance of nature than the straight-lined symmetry 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. /7 

of art. From the extent of Mr. Bartram's researches in 
dendrology, this garden has been rendered richer in 
trees than any other in the country; and many of the 
North American trees are localised in the books of bota- 
nists at Bartram's garden, because on account of their 
great rarity the writers have been unable to refer them 
to any other locality. 



XJITITZiD STATES MARINE HOSFITAZ.. 




This elegant and extensive building, situated on the 
east bank of the Schuylkill, nearly opposite the new 
alms house, is the Greenwich Hospital of the United 
States, being intended as an asylum for invalid seamen 
and officers disabled in the service. It has been recently 
established, and, at present, there are but few pensioners 
residing here. But accommodations are provided suffi- 
cient for all who may require them for many years to 
come. 



78 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



UNITED STA.TES ATLSHNAIi. 

This large building, situated directly south of the ma- 
rine hospital, is an arsenal belonging to the United States, 
and serves as a depot for clothing and stores for the 
army. It presents little to interest the stranger among 
other objects of a more striking character in this vicinity. 



XTEVT COUSTT'S' FRISOZT, 




This is a fine specimen of Gothic architecture, situated 
on Pdssyunk Road, Moyamensing, directly south of the 
city. It serves the usual purposes of a county prison, and 
supersedes the old one recently removed from Arch 
street. At a distance one might suppose it was some 
baronial castle of the olden time, suddenly transported, 
by some magic incantation, from the distant shores of 
Europe. 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



THE NiiVY "STARD. 

The United States Navy Yard is situated on the bank 
of the Delaware, below the city, at the southern extre- 
mity of Swanson street. It is surrounded by a brick 
wall, and contains an area of about twelve acres. It 
contains, besides the shops necessary for modelling and 
building ships, an hospital, marine barracks, and quar- 
ters for the officers. 

The great ship Pennsylvania, on the stocks here, is an 
object of curiosity to all visitors. It is inclosed in a 
building two hundred and seventy feet long, one hundred 
and three feet high, and eighty-four feet wide. There 
is also a forty-four gun frigate inclosed in another large 
ship house. It is said that the Indians from the western 
wilderness, whose stoicism was unmoved by all the 
previous wonders of the white men, were enraptured at 
the sight of the "big canoe." 



GZiASS THAXranLCTOTilllS. 

There are several manufactories of cut glass in the 
city, and an extensive and well-conducted glass house 
in Kensington, where the process of blowing glass may 
be seen during the working hours. 



80 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



MOKUMZSITT OF FEXTZT'S TREATT. 

It is generally known that the celebrated treaty con- 
cluded in 1682, between William Penn and the Indians, 
was ratified under the shade of a great elm tree, some- 
where in the environs of the city. So say the histories; 
so says Benjamin West in his famous picture of this 
event. The noble tree to which so many historical asso- 
ciations were attached, was standing at a spot situated 
in Kensington, near the intersection of Beach and Han- 
over streets, until 1810, when it was uprooted by a 
storm. 

Anxious to preserve the memory, not of the event, for 
that was sufficiently embalmed, but of its locality, the 
Penn Society caused a block of marble to be erected on 
the site of the tree, intending, at some future period, to 
mark it by a more imposing monument. 

The spot is often visited by the curious in historical 
matters; and the reflections which naturally arise, on 
finding one's self on the identical ground where the 
efficiency of the pacific principles of the most pacific of 
religious sects was so fairly and satisfactorily tested in 
their application to national intercourse, must, of course, 
be interesting to a thoughtful mind. No treaty ever 
concluded between different nations is more deserving oi 
commemoration than this between the founder of Penn- 
sylvania and the aboriginal inhabitants of its soil. 



SUPPLEMENT, 



CONTAINING NOTICES OF THE 
/ 

OBJECTS OF CURIOSITY AND INTEREST 



IN AND NEAR THE CITY 



UP TO THE CURRENT YEAR, 1839. 



SUPPLEMENT 



THE FHIIiADEZiFHIA MUSEUM. 

On pages 18 and 19 will be found an account of the Phi- 
ladelphia Museum, as it existed in 1837, a mere collection 
of curiosities exhibited in hired rooms. Last year the 
proprietors erected a new building on George and Ninth 
streets, and have given a new character to the establish- 
ment, by a more judicious arrangement of the curiosities, 
and by the addition of concerts, scientific lectures and other 
attractions of the most fascinating kind. Its present popu- 
larity is unbounded. 

The building is one of the largest in the cit)^, and reserv- 
ing only the basement story the architect has very judi- 
ciously thrown all the upper portion into one great hall for 
the exhibition. The coup d'mil on entering this hall is 
truly grand and imposing. A colonnade on each side of 
the room, extending its full length and divided into inter- 
coluraniations of two pillars each, sustains the galleries, 
and conceals the numerous alcoves in which the curiosities 
are arrayed, just sufficiently to give simplicity and uni- 
formity to the design, and to prevent the effect of the view 
from being cut up by that multiplicity of objects which 
would have presented itself to the eye, and distracted the 
attention with almost any other conceivable arrangement. 



84 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

The entrance is at the west end of the building; and as 
you enter, you perceive what appears to be an opening at 
the other end, giving a view of a splendid oriental land- 
scape, with an elephant and rhinoceros in the foreground. 
In the evening the illusion is perfect, and the pencil of 
Russell Smith is pronounced to have achieved its happiest 
triumph in this chef (Vanvre. The soft tints of the sky, 
the rich tropical foliage, the distant mountains, lake, and 
castle, are all in his best style. 

The grand gallery of portraits of distinguished Ameri- 
cans and foreigners, formed by Mr. Peale, is arranged in 
suitable spaces on each side, so as to be seen at a single 
view, and to constitute one of the most striking and beau- 
tiful ornaments of the room. On examining the portraits, 
with the catalogue in hand, one finds here an immense 
number of distinguished heroes, whose resemblances are 
nowhere else to be found, Mr. Peale having taken them 
from the life, and very few of them having ever been 
engraved. 

A year of hard writing would not be sufficient to give 
an enumeration of the curious and interesting objects to be 
found in the various alcoves, where they are disposed with 
exquisite taste and judgment, so that each object may be 
examined at leisure, at the same time that each cabinet 
presents to the eye a beautiful and simple whole. The 
birds are perched on trees, with an appropriate landscape, 
painted on the partition for a back ground; the animals 
form spirited and characteristic groups, their attitudes ex- 
hibiting their natural habits and dispositions; the antiqui- 
ties, costumes, armor, ornaments, &c., are arranged with 
reference to the country or the period of history to which 
ihey are properly referred; and the minerals, fossils, &c., 
are disposed according to their proper scientific arrange- 



SUPPLEMENT. 85 

ment. The whole forms one of the most complete enter- 
tainments to the mind and the fancy which has ever been 
offered in a public museum. It may well be considered 
the pride and boast of Philadelphia, to offer to public view 
an establishment of this kind which has no parallel in the 
country. 



The basement story of the new building for the Phila- 
delphia Museum is occupied by the celebrated Chinese 
Collection of Nathan Dunn, Esq. ; the most complete mu- 
seum of Chinese curiosities existing in the world. 

During a residence of many years in the Celestial Em- 
pire, Mr. Dunn employed his leisure in collecting cos- 
tumes, paintings, armor, jewels, utensils, and other artificial 
productions indicative of the present state and character of 
the Chinese; as well as specimens of the various produc- 
tions of the animal, vegetable and mineral kingdom in 
that interesting region. To these he added the requisite 
figures, of the size of life, which have enabled him to pre- 
sent, in the collection now open to public inspection, com- 
plete groups of Chinese, in their houses, offices, shops, 
bazaars and theatres, performing their several parts to the 
life; so that the spectator, on entering the hall, seems trans- 
ported at once to this strange country; and holds converse 
with all classes of people, from the porter of the lowest, to 
the mandarin of the highest class. 

For a full account of the collection we refer the reader 
to Mr. Wines's " Peep at China," which may be had with 
the tickets at the door. We copy from it a short extract. 



86 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

General Vieio of the Interior of the Saloon. 
Taking the reader for our companion, we pass into the 
Museum building, by the grand entrance at the western 
end of the vast pile. Over the door on our left, is a hand- 
some but odd looking sign, with several Chinese characters 
in gold upon it. Easily divining the meaning, though 
unable to interpret the writing, we instinctively take this 
direction, and find ourselves, upon the instant, in the vesti- 
bule of the green-room, where we are to procure our tickets 
of admission. Here we appear to ourselves to be suddenly 
multiplied into a small army by the numerous mirrors, 
which serve as panels to the partitions and doors by which 
we are surrounded. The exterior of the green-room is as 
elegant a piece of work as one need desire to look upon. 
The mirrors, especially, are a capital idea. They will be 
the source of infinite divertisement, and will put every 
body in a good humor just at the right time. Passing 
through another vestibule, that of the grand saloon, which 
is separated from it by a beautiful Chinese screen, such as 
is seen in most houses of the better sort in the Celestial 
Empire, we find ourselves within full prospect of all the 
glories treasured within the spacious Hall of the Collection. 
Here, as if touched by the wand of an enchanter, we are 
compelled to pause, for the purpose of taking a general 
survey, and giving vent to our admiration. The view is 
imposing in the highest degree. But it is so unlike any 
thing we are accustomed to behold, that we are at a loss 
for epithets exactly descriptive of it. Brilliant, splendid, 
gorgeous, magnificent, superb — all these adjectives are libe- 
rally used by visiters, and they are strictly apposite, but 
they want the proper explicitness ; they do not place the 
scene — new, strange, and bizarre as it is — distinctly before 



SUPPLEMENT. 87 

the mind. The rich screen-work at the two ends of the 
saloon, the many-shaped and many-colored lamps sus- 
pended from the ceiling, the native paintings which cover 
the walls, the Chinese maxims adorning the columns, the 
choice silks, gay with a hundred colors, and tastefully 
displayed over the cases along the north side, and the mul- 
titude of cases crowded with rare and interesting sights, 
form a tout-ensemble^ possessing an interest and a beauty 
entirely its own, and which must be seen before it can be 
appreciated. The beauty of the general view, and the 
attractiveness of the whole exhibition, will be greatly en- 
hanced by an improvement soon to be commenced. Mr. 
Dunn is about to have constructed an elegant fountain in 
the centre of the saloon, with a basin enlivened by gold 
fish, and surrounded by a row of Chinese plants and flow- 
ers. There will be a jet in the centre, and a waterfall on 
each side; and the whole will be illuminated at night with 
gas lights underneath. The scene cannot fail to be singu- 
larly brilliant and beautiful; and, during the hot summer 
months, the refreshing coolness diffused throughout the 
saloon, must make it ever a place of general resort. 



THE I1TCI.I1TED FliilJrz:, VIADUCT, &c. 

To strangers who enter the city by the Great Western 
Railroad from Philadelphia to Columbia, it is unnecessary 
to recommend, as objects of curiosity, the Inclined Plane, 
west of the Schuylkill river, the Viaduct over the Schuyl- 
kill, and the houses of entertainment and views of scenery 
which present themselves in the vicinity of these objects. 
But to other travellers and sojourners in our good city, we 



»» LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

will just hint that if they wish to while away a pleasant 
summer afternoon, and at the same time to escape from the 
heat, dust and noise of the city to the region of cool breezes 
and green fields, they have only to step into Market or 
Broad street and wait some ten minutes, more or less, till 
they see an omnibus railroad car drawn by horses, with 
gently tinkling bells, bound towards the west. Stepping 
into one of these cars they are rapidly borne past the Wa- 
ter Works, Pratt's Garden, &c. to Fountain Green, a quiet 
retired house of entertainment near the railroad, where 
they may walk through pleasant grounds or sit under shady 
trees. Thence, they are borne to another similar establish- 
ment at the east end of the Viaduct, thence over the Via- 
duct itself, 900 feet in length, (itself a great curiosity,) to 
the foot of the Inclined Plane, ai»out three miles from the 
intersection of Vine and Broad streets. The elevation is 
here about 50 feet above the mean tide. The plane is 
2700 feet in length, and its elevation from base to summit 
is 180 feet. It is ascended by means of stationary steam 
power. The houses which contain the engines, the con- 
trivances of ropes and wheels for the raising and sending 
down of the cars, and the bustle and business of cars ar- 
riving and departing, form a striking and curious exhi- 
bition, and richly repay the observer for the time and 
trouble of his jaunt. 

Cars start to bring passengers into town every fifteen 
minutes, so that the visitor who enjoys this excursion has 
his time always at his command. It should not be forgot- 
ten, that this same cheap conveyance, which takes you to 
the Inclined Plane, is also a most eligible and convenient 
mode of reaching the Water Works, Lemon Hill, (or 
Pratt's Garden,) the Penitentiary, the House of Refuge, 
and sundry other "Lions" in this vicinity. 



SUPPLEMENT. 



FHIIiABEZiFIIIA Gil.S TVORKS. 

The Gas Works are situated between Market and Fil- 
bert streets, and front on Ashton street. They were built 
four years since under the superintendence of Samuel V. 
Merrick, Esq., who had previously been commissioned by 
the city councils to examine the different gas works of 
Europe, particularly those of England, with reference to 
an improved system for lighting our own city. The result 
has proved highly satisfactory, and the adoption of the gas 
as a substitute for oil has become general in all the large 
establishments of individuals, as well as in the streets. 

The gas works present some interesting objects to the 
notice of the visitor. The office for the transaction of 
business, and the room for measuring the gas, front on 
Ashton street. Immediately in rear of these apartments 
is the retort house for making gas, whence it passes next 
into the purifying house, where it is purified by passing 
through lime. It next passes into the measuring house, 
w^here it is measured by means of a large meter. It then 
passes through pipes into the large gasometers, whence it 
is finally distributed, by pipes of various dimensions, into 
the city. 

The source of the innumerable brilliant lights which 
gladden the streets, hotels, theatres, concert rooms, churches 
and shops of the city must be an object of curiosity to an 
inquiring mind. 



90 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



FHIIiADEIiFHIA nrSTITUTE. 

This is the name given to an institution, which owes its 
existence chiefly to the benevolent exertions of that distin- 
guished citizen, Matthew Newkirk, Esq. Its original 
purpose was to furnish intellectual entertainment and in- 
struction to young men, at that period of life when the 
want of opportunities for such entertainment and instruc- 
tion is apt to lead to the forming of unprofitable connections 
and idle or vicious habits. 

The building, an elegant and tasteful one, by the way, 
is situated in Filbert street between Eleventh and Twelfth 
streets. It is divided into a lecture room, reading rooms, 
library, &c., and affords to the members the most ample 
means of fulfilling the noble designs of the founder. The 
lectures have been delivered by some of our most talented 
and popular speakers, and have attracted much attention. 
The reading rooms being well furnished with journals and 
periodical works, afford ample occupation for those odd 
half hours which are so apt to be wasted; and the library 
has been chosen with reference to the moral as well as 
intellectual instruction of the members. On the Sabbath, 
sermons are delivered in the building by the Rev, Mr. 
Stockton, one of the most eloquent and pious divines of the 
Methodist connection. 



PENNSYLVANIA INSTITUTION FOR THE 
INSTRUCTION OF THE BLIND. 

The building belonging to this excellent institution is 
situated on Race street, not far from the Schuylkill river. 



SUPPLEMENT. 



91 



It is of brick, rough cast, tastefully designed, and sur- 
rounded with a garden, play ground, &c. The institution 
was founded by Mr. Julius R. Freidlander, with the assist- 
ance of John Vaughan, Esq., and a few other benevolent 
individuals, in 1833. He commenced operations with four 
pupils, in hired apartments, and depending on voluntary 
subscriptions for support. The able manner in which the 
institution was conducted, and the excellence of the design, 
commended it to the bounty of the legislature, who made 
an annual appropriation for its support: the example was 
followed by the state of Delaware. But the most efficient 
of all the patrons of this institution was the late William 
Y. Birch, Esq., who left in his will an ample provision for 
its permanent support. The amount of his bequest to the 
institution, as residuary legatee, is variously estimated 
from 150 to 200,000 dollars. 

The instruction of the pupils is not confined to the me- 
chanical operations of manufacturing baskets, mattresses, 
brushes, &c., but by means of books with raised letters they 
are taught to read, and are made acquainted with the ele- 
ments of moral, physical and intellectual science. They 
are also brought to considerable proficiency in music; and 
their public concerts, which take place periodically at the 
Philadelphia Museum, never fail to attract some thousands 
of hearers. 

The institution is open to the inspection of visitors on 
certain days in the week. 



THE FRESTOir RETREiLT. 

The building belonging to this institution is situated a 
short distance east of Fair Mount Water Works. It was 



92 



LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



founded by means of funds bequeathed by Mr. Preston; 
and is intended for the relief of widows and other females 
rendered destitute by the incapacity or misconduct of their 
husbands. 

The situation on the brow of an eminence commanding 
a view of the city, and yet completely retired from its noise 
and bustle, is very happily suited to the condition of those 
whose sorrows and disappointments have rendered repose 
desirable, without so far paralysing the sympathies as to 
remove the desire to look forth from the " loop-holes of 
retreat" upon the busy world to which they have bidden 
adieu. 



TflONUTfLUNT CEMETEaiT. 

The Monument Cemetery is situated on the Germantown 
turnpike, about four miles from Philadelphia. The situ- 
ation is very beautiful. 

The ground slopes gently towards the south, and it has 
a very pretty garden, with a variety of flowers, and a large 
hot-house. 

The institution was first proposed by Dr. Elkinton, the 
port physician of this city, and it belongs to a joint stock 
company, of which a great many of our most respectable 
citizens are members. 

A grand gateway, with columns, will be erected this 
summer, at an expense of seven thousand dollars. 



SUPPLEMENT. 93 



CEITTHAIi HIGH SCHOOIi OF FHILA- 
BSLFHZii. 

This is a new institution, destined, as we liope and be- 
lieve, to be not only an ornament to our city, but a source 
of incalculable benefit. It has been established in obedi- 
ence to a law, passed some two years ago by the legislature 
of Pennsylvania, with the noble design of affording to 
those pupils of the Public Schools, whose talents, industry 
and correct deportment might merit it, the opportunity of 
going through a thorough course of classical, mathematical, 
scientific and belles-lettres studies. It bears the same rela- 
tion to our Public Schools which the Boston Latin School 
and English High School do to the Grammar Schools of 
that city. It is, if we may be allowed the figure, the capi- 
tal of the whole column of public instruction for the city 
and county of Philadelphia; the crowning glory of that 
wise and beneficent system of public education commenced 
in 1818, which has been steadily advancing in efficiency 
and utility to the present time. 

The High School is under the immediate direction and 
superintendence of the Board of Controllers of Public In- 
struction, Avho, in the building which they have erected for 
its accommodation, and in the various other arrangements 
adopted, have carried out the intention of the law with a 
liberality and enlightened judgment worthy of all praise. 
The school edifice stands on the east side of Juniper street, 
just back of the United States Mint, and fronting on Penn 
Square. The location, therefore, as our city readers will 
perceive, is happily chosen. There is but one draAvback 
at present, and that is the livery stable and horse-market 
immediately adjoining. Fortunately, this is a nuisance 



94 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 

which, it may be presumed, the natural progress of things, 
in a large city, will speedily abate. Property in the neigh- 
borhood referred to is fast becoming too valuable to allow 
of its being appropriated to such a use. 

If the Board of Controllers have been fortunate in their 
choice of a site, they have displayed equal taste and judg- 
ment in the building they have caused to be erected. This 
is a handsome structure, sixty feet by forty, with a marble 
front, and portico of the Ionic order. It is three stories 
high. On the first floor, besides a spacious vestibule, and 
two small apartments for a library and mineralogical cabi- 
net, there is a large lecture room, in which it is intended 
there shall be delivered full courses of lectures on natural 
philosophy, chemistry and natural history. In the second 
and third stories are the two school rooms, with an addi- 
tional apartment in each, designed as a place of deposit for 
caps, cloaks, umbrellas, &c. Each study room is fifty feet 
by forty, and provided with one hundred and ten neat and 
substantial cherry desks for the pupils. 

There is an astronomical observatory connected with the 
institution, which will be well provided with instruments 
of the very best kind. An equatorial telescope has been 
ordered from one of the most celebrated German manufac- 
tories, which will cost between three and four thousand 
dollars. Its arrival is expected the ensuing summer. It 
will be superior to any other instrument of the kind in the 
country. The splendid telescope lately exhibited at the 
Fair of the Franklin Institute has also been purchased for 
the use of the High School. Observations of the various 
celestial phenomena will be constantly and regularly made 
by the Professor of Astronomy, which, at the end of each 
year, will be published in a volume. It will thus be seen 
that we may reasonably expect from the High School of 



SUPPLEMENT. 95 

Philadelphia no inconsiderable contributions to the cause 
of science, and that we may without presumption indulge 
the hope that it will add something to the reputation of our 
country abroad. 

The School is divided into three departments, viz: the 
Department of Belles Lettres; the Department of Lan- 
guages, including the ancient and modern languages; and 
the Department of Mathematics and Natural Science. 
The course of study will embrace four years. Admis- 
sions, after the first year, will take place annually; and 
none are admissible but members of the Public Schools in 
the city and county. We shall be much disappointed in 
our expectations if the High Shool does not exert a most 
beneficial efiect upon the Public Schools generally. 

The institution, of which we have given a very brief 
description above, was opened on the 22d of October, 1838, 
with sixty-three pupils. The number of applicants, how- 
ever, was much greater than that, being one hundred and 
thirty-nine. 

At the second examination in January, 1839, sixty, out 
of the one hundred and thirty-nine applicants were admit- 
ted. The Faculty of the High School is at present com- 
posed of the following gentlemen : 

John Frost, Professor of Belles Lettres. 

E. C. Wines, Professor of Ancient Languages. 

E. Otis Kendall, ") Professors in the Mathematical and 

William Vogdes, 3 Scientific Department. 

Henry M'Murtrie, Professor of Special Physics. 



96 LIONS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



iiSSEMBIiir BUI1.DII7GS. 

This splendid pile of buildings is situated at the corner 
of Tenth and Chesnut streets. It was erected in 1838, and 
was first thrown open to visitors on the 30th of January, 
1839. The lower or basement story is occupied by elegant 
stores, extending the whole length of the building on Tenth 
street, nearly to George street. 

The whole of the second story is occupied by the Grand 
Saloon, by far the most magnificent in our city. Its entire 
length is 245 feet, but it is so constructed as to form two 
saloons, leaving the main one 120 feet long. One side is 
adorned with 11 mirrors, 10 feet in length, between each 
of which is a Corinthian column, crowned with a wreath 
of flowers, which are exactly matched on the opposite side. 
The orchestra is unique, being fronted upon a damask 
back-ground, with a row of elegant ha.rps. The gas fix- 
tures, curtains, extensive windows, dressing-rooms, and 
every thing else, are in a style of corresponding magnifi- 
cence, giving the free feeling to the spectator, as he enters, 
of walking into the private parlor of a splendid mansion. 



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